MOSS LANDING >> Scientists have reported concentrations of heavy-metal nanoparticles in the marsh soils at Elkhorn Slough in the wake of the recent fire at a battery storage facility in Moss Landing.

Research scientists at San José State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories detected the unusually high concentrations of heavy-metal nanoparticles according to a press release from the university.

A research team led by Ivano Aiello, marine geology professor and department chair of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, have been analyzing the marsh soil, including the composition of major and trace elements in the days following the Jan.16 Vistra Plant fire.

“As part of a decade-long monitoring program of the Elkhorn Slough estuary, Dr. Ivano Aiello’s research team analyzed the marsh soil properties, including the composition of major and trace elements, in the days immediately following the Vistra battery fire,” according to the release. “The field surveys, conducted within a radius of approximately two miles from the power plant, measured a dramatic increase in marsh soil surface concentration (hundreds to thousand-fold) of the three heavy metals Nickel, Manganese and Cobalt.”

Those nanoparticles are used in cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, “clearly connecting the occurrence of the heavy metals to airborne cathode material from the Vistra battery fire.”

The release went on to say those heavy metals “will chemically transform as they move through the environments and potentially through the food web, affecting local aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.”

“These are very disturbing numbers,” said County of Monterey Supervisor Glenn Church. “… We’re in uncharted territory.”

Church advised people to be careful, staying aware of their health and that of their animals.

“If you feel sick, go see your doctor,” Church said.

“I am alarmed and deeply concerned to hear the high concentrations of heavy metals have been identified within one of our most cherished and fragile ecosystems, Elkhorn Slough and its surrounding areas,” said State Assemblywoman Dawn Addis in a press release. “These concentrations are directly linked to the battery energy storage fire. This is why I stand firm in my call for independent investigations by the CPUC and expect all environmental data to be taken into consideration. True climate solutions must benefits — not harm — our communities and natural environment. We have to continue to fight for the inclusion of community voice and proper siting of battery energy storage facilities.”